Modular device to be inserted into a vehicle bumper

ABSTRACT

An arrangement having a module for installation in a bumper of a motor vehicle and having a retaining part for attaching the module to the bumper. The retaining part, in this context, is fixedly attached on the interior side of the bumper blade, so that the module can be inserted from the interior side. Provision is made in the bumper for a corresponding bore, through which the head piece of the module can be plugged in until the surface is roughly flush with the exterior surface of the bumper. As the module, an ultrasonic sensor is preferably proposed, which can be used for measuring distance in a motor vehicle. Since only the head piece of the module is visible from the outside but not its attachment parts, the resulting appearance is particularly advantageous since it is not disruptive from a design point of view.

BACKGROUND INFORMATION

The invention is based on an arrangement having a module forinstallation in a bumper of a motor vehicle according to the species ofthe main claim. It is already known to build modules into a bumper whichare configured, for example, as ultrasonic sensors for measuringdistance. In this context, the housing of the module is inserted into acorresponding bore of the bumper and is secured there. For influencingthe detection range, a baffle plate is then additionally attached whichpartially covers the ultrasonic sensor. An arrangement of this type isknown, for example, from German Patent No. 39 39 387. This arrangement,for design reasons, is not entirely desirable since the parts of themodule are configured to be raised with respect to the bumper blade andas a result detract from the appearance. In addition, a sensor of thistype is relatively conspicuous so that it can easily be damaged,particularly by children at play.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The contrast, the arrangement of the module according to the presentinvention has the advantage that the module is installed so as to beflush with the surface of the bumper and is therefore hardly noticeable.An arrangement of this type practically has no impact on the design ofthe motor vehicle since only a small head piece of the module isvisible. The retaining part of the module is mounted behind the bumperblade and is therefore not visible from the exterior.

It is particularly advantageous to join the retaining part fixedly tothe bumper using adhesives, injection-molding, or welding, so that it isfixed in place. The module is then introduced into the retaining partand is attached to the retaining part by a clip device, so that themodule, on the one hand, is fixed, and, on the other hand, can beseparated from the retaining part in the event of a repair.

In order that the module appear as inconspicuous as possible, its headpiece is advantageously introduced into a bore of the bumper and isconfigured to be flush with an adjoining exterior surface of the bumper.It is advantageous if only a small gap can be seen. If the module is anultrasonic sensor for measuring distance, then the gap advantageouslyfunctions for the acoustical decoupling from the bumper.

Furthermore, it is favorable to design the module in the color of thebumper, so that the module becomes as inconspicuous as possible.

As a result of installing the module from the rear side of the bumper,an undesirable disassembly of the module is made significantly moredifficult.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 shows a known embodiment of an ultrasonic sensor in a bumper.

FIG. 2 shows an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 shows the exemplary embodiment in an exploded view.

FIG. 4 shows the final state after the installation of the arrangement.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

FIG. 1 shows a known arrangement of a module 6, which is configured asan ultrasonic sensor and is installed in a bumper 1. For securing module6, a retaining part is introduced from the outside through an opening inbumper 1 that is not visible from the outside, the opening at the sametime accommodating module 6. In this arrangement, both module 6 andretaining part 3 are visible. An arrangement of this type is felt to beintrusive for design reasons and is therefore as a rule undesirable.

FIG. 2 shows the arrangement of an exemplary embodiment according to thepresent invention, in which module 6 is introduced into bumper 1 fromthe rear, so that only head piece 7 is visible from the outside. Inparticular, if module 6 or only head piece 7 has been painted orconfigured in the color of bumper 1, this arrangement appears veryunnoticeable and inconspicuous, even if a gap 8 is visible.

FIG. 3 in an exploded view depicts the arrangement of the exemplaryembodiment according to the present invention having module 6 installedin bumper 1 of an undepicted motor vehicle.

Retaining part 3 is configured so as to be tube-shaped and has an endface that is configured as collar 3 a. Retaining part 3, at this endface 3 a, is attached to a suitable bore 2 in bumper blade 1 from therear side of bumper 1. For purposes of attachment, conventional joiningtechnologies can be used such as adhesives, welding, injection-molding,or bolts. After retaining part 3 is attached to bumper 1, module 6 isinserted from the rear into retaining part 3 until head piece 7 in itsend face rests roughly flush with the adjoining exterior surface ofbumper 1. Head piece 7 in its diameter is dimensioned to be somewhatsmaller so that it fits into bore 2 of bumper 1. In configuring module 6as an ultrasonic sensor, it is preferable if the diameter of bore 2 isdimensioned such that a small gap 8 remains between head piece 7 and thewall of bumper 1, so that an acoustical decoupling between the vibratingmembrane (head piece 7) and bumper 1 is achieved. Module 6 is preferablyfixed in retaining part 3 by an elastic retaining ring 10, which isintroduced in the area of head piece 7, the module being preferablysecured against an axial dislocation using a clip device 4,5. Clipdevice 4 is configured on the retaining part 3 so as to be elastic, sothat, when clip device 4,5 is disengaged, module 6 is released and canbe removed. Via a connecting part 9, module 6 can be connectedelectrically to a control device.

FIG. 4 shows the arrangement according to the present invention afterinstallation on bumper 1. The module is preferably configured so as tobe rotationally symmetrical, so that it can also be secured to bumper 1when rotated 180°. The head piece is arranged so as to be roughly flushwith the external side of bumper 1, so that head piece 7 at first glanceis not recognizable, especially if it is painted the color of bumper 1.

What is claimed is:
 1. An arrangement comprising: a motor vehicle bumperhaving an interior side; a retaining part, the retainer part being onthe interior side of the bumper; and a module for installation in thebumper, the module having a head piece, the module being insertable intothe retaining part from the interior side of the bumper, the retainingpart attaching the module to the bumper, the retaining part attachingthe module such that the head piece of the module, after installation,is situated substantially flush with an adjoining exterior surface ofthe bumper.
 2. The arrangement according to claim 1, wherein theretaining part is fixedly joined to the bumper.
 3. The arrangementaccording to claim 2, wherein the retaining part is fixedly joined tothe bumper using at least one of an adhesive, injection-molding,welding, and bolts.
 4. The arrangement according to claim 1, wherein theretaining part includes a clip device for detachably mounting themodule.
 5. The arrangement according to claim 1, wherein the head pieceof the module is inserted into a bore of the bumper.
 6. The arrangementaccording to claim 5, wherein the bore, in relation to the head piece,forms a gap having a prescribed width.
 7. The arrangement according toclaim 1, wherein the module includes an ultrasonic distance-measuringsensor.
 8. The arrangement according to claim 1, wherein the module has,at least partly, a same color as the bumper.